Swallowing & Communication Collaborative

Improving shared decision-making surrounding dysphagia management for persons diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
 

 As many as 92% percent of persons diagnosed with ALS develop swallowing impairments over the course of the disease, which have negative prognostic effects on survival. As a result of these impairments, patients are faced with the decision of whether to have a feeding tube placed or not. The primary objective of the study is to develop and test a decision aid that improves communication and patient knowledge throughout the decision-making process.